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Sub Saharan Africa

Cape Verde

 Flag of Cape Verde

Map of Cape Verde Last reviewed: 25 February 2009

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HISTORY

Cape Verde was colonised by the Portuguese in the 15th century. The Portuguese used Cape Verdeans as administrators throughout their African empire, and as labour on their shipping lines. During the 19th century Cape Verdeans used to crew American whalers in the Atlantic. Since this time, Cape Verdeans have had a strong tradition of emigrating to find work. Major droughts and famines have historically also propelled mass migrations from the islands. The country became independent in 1975, following the collapse of the Portuguese empire after the Carnation Revolution in Lisbon of 1974. The aspiration of the leader of the independence struggle, Amilcar Cabral, for an eventual political union between Cape Verde and Guinea Bissau was never to come to fruition however, and was abandoned in 1981 following the overthrow in Guinea Bissau of President Luis Cabral, also a Cape Verdean.

Until 1981, the country was ruled by Aristide Pereira and by the party which bought independence, the PAIGC (Partido Africano da Independencia da Guine e Cabo Verde), which became the PAICV (the African Party for the Independence of Cape Verde) in 1981. Pereira’s rule was stable and benevolent, but did not allow for political pluralism. In 1990, under domestic and international pressure, he opened up the political system to multipartyism.

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Contacts

Cape Verde

Address:

Embassy of the Republic of Cape Verde
Avenue Jeane 29 1050 Brussels


Telephone:

 (00) 32 2 643 62 70


Fax:

(00) 32 2 646 33 85

Office hours: